1.  Achievements

Twelve Research recommendations for use of Seed Producers has been made as under :

As a result of research work  carried out in the department, the following  recommendations  have been made for  the use seed growers/scientific community. of

I          For Lucerne Seed Production :

It is recommended  that Lucerne crop  should be left for seed production after taking four cuts  ( 135 days after  sowing  i.e.   the third  week  of March) of  green  fodder  obtaining maximum seed  yield of Lucerne. in

II         For Castor Seed Production Programme ( For Scientific community only)

On the basis of experiment  conducted form 1992-93 to 1994-95   following  isolation  distances   are recommended  for various  categories  of seed  production programmes in Castor.

a)        Foundation  Seed Production             :          600 meters

b)        Certified Seed Production                   :          300 meters

III For Gram Seed Production :

On the basis of experiment conducted  at Sardarkrushinagar  from 1994-95  to 1996-97, it is recommended   that for raising seed crop of Gram, variety-ICCC-4,  the  seed should be treated with Rhizobium culture ( IC  76 @ 1 packet  for  8 kg. Of seed ) for obtaining higher  seed  yield  of the  order of 31 %  and improved  seed quality ( improved test weight and  percent though statistically non-significant) . The treatment  recorded an ICBR of 1:37.0. germination

IV.      Mustard seed production

On the basis  of an experiment conducted  at Sardarkrushinagar ( North Gujarat Agro-climatic zone ) form  rabi 1995-96  to 1997-98  it is  revealed  that  for seed production  of mustard  grading  is required.  Sieve size of 1.4 mm ( round hole) should be used to remove small,  immature, broken seeds,  dust etc. to  improve  quality, commercial value and acceptability of seed lot.

V.                 Seed production of fennel :

On the basis  of experiment  conducted  at Sardarkrushinagar ( North Gujarat  Agro-climatic Zone )  form rabi 1995-96 to  it is revealed that for  seed production of fennel no grading is required. However, it is  recommended that  size of 1.4 mm ( rectangular  hole )  should be  used  to remove   small,   immature, broken seeds, dust etc.  to   quality,  commercial value  and acceptability  of seed lot. rabi 1997-98, sieve improve

VI.      Hybrid castor seed production ( for scientific community only)

The study  carried out form 1996-97 to 1998-99  at Seed Technology  department, S.K. Nagar on Gujarat Castor hybrid-4 revealed that :

i)     The contribution   of different  order spike picking  for the seed  yield (F1 seed)

varied  significantly. It  ranged from 24.77 % for second order spike (highest) to 10.18 % for fifth order spike  ( lowest ).

ii)                   First order spike recorded lowest genetic purity ( 77.78 % ).

iii)                 There was no significant difference in germination  percentage of seeds from different order spike pickings.

VII.     Effect of different inter row spacing between male and female lines and fertilizer levels on seed yield for castor hybrid 4.

The results  of an experiment   conducted  from 1998-99 to 2000-2001 revealed that  the seed production  plot of GCH-4 should have

i.         Female rows at 90 cm spacing  and male lines  135 cm away form 1^st and 3^rd

female rows.

ii.         Fertilizer dose should be, male  rows  N:P 50:50 and female rows N:P 125:50

VIII.    Effect of seed size on the yield of Garlic and its quality :

The farmers  of the South Saurashtra region growing Garlic variety,  Gujarat Garlic-2 during  rabi season are advised  to the bold size clove  of garlic, 70-90 gms. Wt. of 100 cloves, for getting higher production of garlic  bulb and net returns (CBR 1: 1.50.) use

IX.      Effect of different picking stagtes on seed yield and quality of Chilli Var. S-19

The farmers  of Middle Gujarat Agro-climatic Zone-III ( AES-2)  growing chilli var. S-49 for  seed production  are advised practice  of three pickings of red chilli for getting maximum seed yield and net returns. Further, they are advised that if market price of green chilli prevails more  than Rs. 6.00/Kg follow practice of  one green chilli picking in the last  of October or first week  of November and three pickings  of red chilli for getting higher seed yield and net returns. ( ADR, ( Zone), Anand &  Research  Scientist, Seed Technology, S.K. Nagar). to follow week

X.       Evaluation of improved mother crop nutrition in mustard :

For seed  production of mustard ( GM-1 ) under  North Gujarat Agro-climatic Zone the  crop  should be sown at 60 cm X 20 cm and fertilize with a common  dose of 50 kg P2 05/ha. ( Research Scientist, Seed  Technology, Sardarkrushinagar).

XI.      Effect of natural aging and seed rate compensation on seed yield and quality of mustard.

Results  of an  experiment  revealed  that  farmers  can safely use one year old  ( 19 months old )  seed  of mustard  Varuna without adverse  effect  on seed yield and seed quality ( germination % ). However two  year old ( 31   seeds should be used  only  after using  increased compensated  seed rate so as  to bring the germination % the seed lot  to near   100% ( Research Scientist, Seed Technology, Sardarkrushinagar . variety months old ) of

XII.     Effect of date of sowing and row spacing on seed yield of hybrid seed production plot of GCH-5. ( 2000-2001 to 2002-2003 )

The  seed  producers of  the North Gujarat are advised to sow seed production plot of castor hybrid GCH-5 in the first week of September keeping row to row spacing of 120 cm for obtaining higher seed yield and higher genetic purity.

Seed Production

Breeder Seed Production in three years at Sardarkrushinagar

Certified Seed Production in three years at Sardarkrushinagar

Publications

Research papers : 14